Review: 2015 Kia Forte Koup SX

Kia's rapidly expanding lineup comprises all body styles and price points, from a minivan to a luxury sedan, and is virtually unrecognizable from the brand that seemed a startup in the United States just two decades ago. That explains the Forte Koup, a two-door sibling to the compact Forte sedan—a favorite of ours in a segment that has models differentiating themselves in sportiness and luxury—and a platform-mate of the wilder Hyundai Veloster. As the two-door coupe segment is shrinking, displaced by hatchbacks and sedans, the Forte Koup is a brave entry.

We recently spent several days driving around the Detroit metropolitan area in the sportiest Koup, the turbocharged Koup SX, to see how this two-door would distinguish itself in a crowded field.

Click through the photos above for more angles of the 2015 Kia Forte Koup.

What is it?

The Forte Koup may have an awkward name, but it serves a fairly mundane purpose as the two-door sibling of the compact Forte sedan. Taking styling cues from segment leaders like the Honda Civic coupe, the Forte Koup's purpose is to steer younger buyers with disposable income toward the South Korean brand. The Forte Koup shares some chassis architecture and powertrain options with the Hyundai Veloster, but little of that hatchback's polarizing styling and awkward third door.

We like the fit and finish of Forte Koup's soft interior materials, as well as the passenger room in both the front and back rows. Compared to some companies that are lowering quality standards for the sake of style and the bottom line, this Kia is among the more attractive offerings in the compact—dare we say it—near-luxury segment.

How does it drive?

For its sporty looks and sprightly demeanor, driving the Forte Koup is an experience surprisingly jejune. The Forte Koup retains the front-engine, front-wheel drive setup of the Forte sedan, with a choice of two engines and transmissions: a 173-hp, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder is standard, and the hotter SX model gets a 1.6-liter, 201-hp turbocharged inline four. Both engines can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Off the line, the Forte Koup SX is no slouch, keeping up with Detroit freeway traffic and requiring a frequent glance down at the speedometer. Its dynamics, however, are dulled by nicely weighted yet uninspired steering and average brakes, making the experience on backroads rather average. Kias aren't known yet for being fantastic to throw around a corner, but the Forte Koup is a step in the right direction.

What's its specialty?

Therein lies the rub: Although the Forte Koup is adequate in every area, from build quality to engine note, it truly excels in few. The Forte Koup's core competence is competence.

Does it have competition?

Yes it does: The hot coupe/hatchback segment continues to grow, and entries are pouring in from the United States to Germany to Japan. The Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen GTI are near analogues in terms of the numbers, but each of those models has manners tuned for autocross days and local errands.

Overall

A safe bet with a sporty bent.

Highs

Unique style means you'll be able to find yours from among a crowd, and excellent telematics mean myriad options for music and navigation. And you can get all Forte Koup models with a manual transmission that has above-average clutch takeup and feel.

Lows

The chassis, steering, and brakes lack the fine-tuned precision of, say, the Volkswagen GTI-and watch out for torque steer.

By the numbers: 2015 Kia Forte Koup SX

MSRP: $21,390 (includes $800 destination charge)

Power / drive wheels: 1.6-liter, 201-hp turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine / front -wheel drive

Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic

EPA fuel economy: 22 city / 29 highway mpg (manual transmission, as tested)

In showrooms: Now